Desflurane Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 23, 2024.

Applies to desflurane: inhalation liquid, inhalation solution.

Serious side effects of desflurane

Along with its needed effects, desflurane may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking desflurane:

More common side effects

• bluish lips or skin
• body aches or pain
• chest tightness
• congestion
• cough
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• fever
• hoarseness
• not breathing
• runny nose
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing
• voice changes

Less common side effects

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• dizziness
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• headache
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• unusual tiredness

Rare side effects

• dark urine
• difficulty with moving
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• general tiredness and weakness
• joint pain
• light-colored stools
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle pains or stiffness
• nausea and vomiting
• noisy breathing
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• sweating
• swollen joints
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• yellow eyes and skin

Incidence not known

• confusion
• decreased urine
• dry mouth
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• no blood pressure or pulse
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• seizures
• stomach pain
• stopping of heart
• unconsciousness
• weakness or heaviness of the legs

Other side effects of desflurane

Some side effects of desflurane may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• increased watering of the mouth
• redness of the white part of the eyes or inside of the eyelids

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• irritability
• itching skin
• restlessness
• shaking
• trouble sleeping

For healthcare professionals

Applies to desflurane: inhalation liquid.

Respiratory adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Breath holding (27% in adults; 68% in pediatrics), laryngospasm (50% in pediatrics), cough (34%), apnea (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, apnea, cough, laryngospasm
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoxia
• Frequency not reported: Respiratory arrest, respiratory failure, respiratory distress, bronchospasm, hemoptysis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (27%), salivary hypersecretion (21%), vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Acute pancreatitis, abdominal pain^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Nodal arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypertension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, vasodilation, ECG abnormal, electrocardiogram ST-T change, electrocardiogram T wave inversion
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrest, torsade de pointes, ventricular failure, ventricular hypokinesia, malignant hypertension, hemorrhage, hypotension, shock, tachyarrhythmia, palpitations^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness
• Frequency not reported: Seizures, encephalopathy^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hepatic necrosis, cytolytic hepatitis, cholestasis, jaundice, hepatic function abnormal, liver disorder, alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis
• Frequency not reported: Ocular icterus, eye burns, transient blindness, ulcerative keratitis, ocular hyperemia, reduced visual acuity, eye irritation, eye pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, ammonia increased^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia
• Frequency not reported: Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Urticaria, erythema, skin burning sensation^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Coagulopathy, coagulation test abnormal^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased creatinine phosphokinase
• Frequency not reported: Malignant hyperthermia, asthenia, malaise, migraine, fatigue^[Ref]

Further information

Desflurane side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer